Quick study Did not go home to Glasgow for the weekend; spent it at the office reading up whole brief. Briefing on Tuesday on the failure to deport foreign prisoners; briefing yesterday on issues from police authority mergers to community policing, before speech next week to Police Federation conference.

Announcements Admits number of prisoners escaping deportation is more than predecessor said; Commons statement on 7/7 rules out further independent inquiry.

Vera Baird Parliamentary under-secretary, Constitutional Affairs

Quick study Had to answer one oral parliamentary question on Tuesday on whether Lord Carter's review of legal aid, not yet adopted by the government, would kill the high street solicitor. "Got totally neurotic about it, ended up reading Lord Carter's review three times, in case supplementary questions from Opposition MPs caught me out."

First week's appearances Maiden appearance at dispatch box answering that question on the review of legal aid on Tuesday.

Announcements None

David Miliband Secretary of state, environment, food and rural affairs

Quick study Walked into office at Defra demanding to be briefed at once on all the money that is owed to farmers. Kept inside Defra for three days to receive briefings on everything else. Met department's stakeholders yesterday to discuss issues.

First week's appearances Visit to Hampshire to talk to farmers, answered parliamentary questions on department, interview on Farming Today, photocall with Tony Blair on Thursday at Downing Street on climate change.

Announcements None, but lots of warm words for furious farmers who have not been paid their EU subsidies because of a mess at the Rural Repayments Agency.

Margaret Beckett Foreign secretary

Quick study Sat at home in Derbyshire the entire weekend reading about Iran. Further policy brief on the plane to New York on Monday and a "priorities briefing" in the Foreign Office on Wednesday afternoon to handle EU foreign ministers' meeting on Monday, particularly about funding the Palestinian authority. Caught up with her sleep on Wednesday.

First week's appearances Blockbuster day was Monday, flying out to New York at 11am, and after meetings with Condoleezza Rice, EU foreign ministers and a dinner, ended up doing a press briefing at midnight (5am British time). Spent Tuesday in further meetings including Kofi Annan.

Announcements None apart from re-affirming Britain's position on putting pressure on Iran.

Andy Burnham Minister of state, Department of Health

Quick study Detailed briefing on NHS deficits in office. Says: "It's probably my worst nightmare to find out that my first parliamentary appearance would be winding up on a debate on deficits in the NHS. [But]my week had begun on a high with Everton winning. There is quite a cabal supporting Everton here. I think that will help carry me through."

First week's appearances Tuesday started with addressing MRSA conference, ended that night with winding up Commons debate. Press briefing on plans to guarantee patients treatment 18 weeks from seeing GP on Wednesday.

Announcements Government plans to guarantee every patient who needs it treatment within 18 weeks of visiting a GP.